QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Built for Battle: Islanders Set to be a Playoff Nightmare

Published on February 25, 2025 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


The Charlottetown Islanders are officially heading to the playoffs!

With just 10 games remaining in the regular season, the Isles have clinched a postseason berth, but their fight is far from over. The battle for positioning in the standings is heating up, and every remaining game will play a crucial role in determining their first-round opponent.

The Standings Race: Where Do the Isles Sit?

Charlottetown currently sits just 1 point behind the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and 6 points behind the Cape Breton Eagles. With just five home games left, the Islanders have a prime opportunity to leapfrog their division rivals and secure a more favourable playoff matchup.

The Islanders have two massive games left against the Titan, their biggest rivals this season. Interestingly, neither team has managed to win on home ice in their four meetings so far-Charlottetown has won both games in Bathurst but dropped both at home. These matchups will be key in the playoff race and will also add another chapter to this season's intense rivalry. Buy Tickets

Adding to the drama, this rivalry is a true "homegrown showdown," with seven players between the two teams hailing from Prince Edward Island-five on the Titan and two on the Islanders. Local pride will be on full display as these teams battle hard for playoff positioning. Buy Tickets

Potential Playoff Matchups: Who Will the Isles Face?

While Moncton, Rimouski, and Chicoutimi are solidly locked into the top three seeds, there's still plenty of movement possible in the middle of the pack. The playoff seeding scenarios for the Islanders are as follows:

-If they finish below the Titan and Eagles (where they currently stand), they'll face the powerhouse Rimouski Océanic, the Memorial Cup hosts.

-If they pass the Titan but stay behind Cape Breton, they'll face the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

-If they leap past both the Titan and Eagles, they'll take on Baie-Comeau Drakkar, the team that eliminated them last year.

Breaking Down the Possible Opponents

Rimouski Océanic: The Memorial Cup Hosts

Rimouski made massive moves at the trade deadline to load up for a championship run, and their roster is stacked with talent, including:

-Jonathan Fauchon (QMJHL's leading goal scorer)

-Mathieu Cataford (World Junior player for Team Canada)

-Lou Levesque & Eriks Mateiko (both acquired in major trades)

-Mathis Langevin (one of the league's top young goalies)

Rimouski boasts 10 NHL-drafted players, including Charlottetown native Luke Coughlin (Florida Panthers). This is arguably the toughest possible matchup, but the Isles already defeated Rimouski 6-3 earlier this season.

Plus, the Isles are the hottest team in the QMJHL right now, winning 15 of their last 20 games including wins against Moncton and Rouyn-Noranda. The Isles are more than capable of pulling off a first-round shocker and catching the Oceanic by surprise.

Chicoutimi Saguenéens: A Rising Contender

Chicoutimi has been dominant in the second half of the season, led by elite scorers Maxim Massé (46 points in 37 games) and Emmanuel Vermette (55 points in 54 games). Goaltender Raphaël Precourt has been outstanding, ranking fifth in the league in wins (24).

Charlottetown has faced Chicoutimi twice already this season, losing both games in tight contests. However, that was before their second-half surge.

With their aggressive forecheck and relentless pressure, the Isles could make this a tough matchup for the Saguenéens who have yet to face this new and improved Islander powerhouse.

Baie-Comeau Drakkar: A Shot at Revenge

If the Isles climb high enough to face Baie-Comeau, it will be a rematch of last year's playoffs, where the Drakkar eliminated them. Baie-Comeau is another deep, skilled team, but the Islanders would relish a chance at revenge.

This would be the Isles' most favourable matchup heading into the post-season.

The Islanders' X-Factors: Why No One Wants to Face Them

Charlottetown has turned into one of the most dangerous teams in the league since the new year. They have won 15 of their last 20 games and boast a deep, physical, and relentless playing style that makes them an absolute nightmare in a short series.

Key Players to Watch:

-Matt Butler & Ross Campbell (18 years old, offensive stars): Butler is coming off a 13-game point streak, while Campbell has been a goal-scoring machine. Their first line alongside of Simon Hughes is one of the most aggressive-offensive lines in the league and are a nightmare for opposing defences.

-Owen Conrad (NHL projected 3rd round pick): Just came off a 10-game point streak, the third-longest by a defenseman in franchise history. He puts in top minutes at only 17 years old, going up against opposing teams top lines night-in, night-out. He is as steady as they come and will be a huge factor for the Islanders in the playoffs.

-Simon Hughes (Charlottetown native): Playing his final junior season with his hometown team, Hughes has been a key presence on the top line. He will be eager to make his final mark on the Island and will fight hard to push the Isles as far as they can go in the playoffs.

-Thomas Sirman (Veteran defenseman): Acquired from Ottawa, Sirman has brought leadership and poise to the Isles' blue line. Also playing in his final junior hockey season, Thomas is ready to give everything he has to contribute to the Islanders playoff push. A rock-solid defence man with experience who the Islanders can rely upon in important moments.

-Nicolas Ruccia (Veteran Goaltender): A proven playoff performer, Ruccia led Cape Breton to a first-round series win last year with spectacular goaltending leading up to and during the Eagles' playoff run. He has shown that it was not a one-season wonder with some fantastic goaltending since the start of the new year which has propelled us up the standings.

As the Islanders gear up for the playoffs, they'll be hoping to get some key players back in time for the postseason.

Captain Marcus Kearsey remains out with a shoulder injury, but if he returns, his heavy shot and strong vision will be a game-changer.

Mathis Valente, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, is expected to be ready for playoffs and is eager to contribute to the team's push.

Meanwhile, top goal-scorer Ross Campbell is still recovering from a concussion but is expected to return before the playoffs begin, giving the Isles a major offensive boost when it matters most.

Final Thoughts: The Isles are Ready for a Playoff Run

The Islanders are built for playoff hockey. Their physical, grinding style combined with a red-hot offense makes them one of the most dangerous teams heading into the postseason.

No matter who they face-whether it's Rimouski, Chicoutimi, or Baie-Comeau-the Isles will be ready to make noise and potentially pull off an upset.

With 10 games left in the regular season, there's still time to improve their standing and set up a more favorable matchup. But one thing is for certain: the Charlottetown Islanders are a team no one wants to face in the first round.

The race to the playoffs is on, and your Charlottetown Islanders need YOU now more than ever! Every game, every shift, every goal matters as we battle for a spot in the postseason. The energy at the Eastlink Centre has been electric, and we need to take it to another level.

Get your tickets.

Bring your energy.

Be the difference.

Let's pack the barn, make some noise, and push the Isles to victory! The road to the playoffs starts with YOU!

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2025


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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